S. Danielle Radford Language Arts Lesson Plan 1

Introduction Lesson Topic: Creative Narrative Writing

Four periods of 45 minutes each VA Standards of Learning English

3.9 The student will write for a variety of purposes. a) Identify the intended audience. b) Use a variety of prewriting strategies. c) Write a clear topic sentence focusing on the main idea. d) Write a paragraph on the same topic. f) Include details that elaborate the main idea.

g) Revise writing for clarity of content using specific vocabulary and information.

3.10 The student will edit writing for correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. a) Use complete sentences. b) Use transition words to vary sentence structure. c) Use the word I in compound subjects. d) Use past and present verb tense.

j) Use correct spelling for frequently used sight words, including irregular plurals.

3.12 The student will use available technology for reading and writing.

Cognitive Objectives

Students will: Create, edit, and record an original narrative with appropriate background music and/or

sound effects to be posted on the class blog for parents and students.

Materials/Technology and Advanced Preparation

Preselected audio clips from freesound.com-thunderstorm, ocean waves, and woodland animal noisesWriting journalsComputer with microphone and access to AudacityQuiet Area for recording

Teaching and Learning Sequence Day 1Introduction/Anticipatory Set

Ask the students if they have ever smelled something that reminded them of something or

someone. For example, the smell of leather reminds me of my husband when we were

dating because he always wore a leather jacket back then.

S. Danielle Radford Language Arts Lesson Plan 2

Ask about tastes that remind them of someone or something. For example, German

chocolate cake reminds me of my grandmother because that was one of her specialties.

Like scents and tastes, tell students that sometimes certain sounds can remind them of a

time or place.

Lesson Development

Have students open their writing journals to the first clean page with pencils in hand.

Tell students that we are going to listen to a short audio clip.

Instruct students to write down anything that comes to mind while listening to the clip.

Instruct students that complete sentences are not necessary at this point. This is a

brainstorming exercise only.

Ask students to tell some of their ideas after the audio clip.

Explain and demonstrate on the board with one of the ideas shared how each person will use an idea to write an original narrative.

Tell students that each story will be set to music or special sound effects like we heard today to help create the mood of the story. Students will be able to use any appropriate sound effects found on freesound.com after the narratives are written and edited.

Tell students that the final recorded stories will be posted on the class blog for parents and students to enjoy.

Play a previously recorded story to help students understand what the completed assignment might sound like.

Discuss the important characteristics of a narrative. It has a beginning, middle, and end; uses descriptive words, and it is usually written in first person.

Play two more audio clips while students brainstorm in their journals.

Closure Ask students to share some ideas they might write about or how they might start their

stories.

Ask students to be ready to continue writing during the next Language Arts Class.

S. Danielle Radford Language Arts Lesson Plan 3

AssessmentFormative-The teacher will go around the room during the brainstorming sessions to make

suggestions. The teacher will give feedback as the writing sessions continue and help students

include all the elements of a good narrative.

Summative-Teacher will grade final narratives which should include a beginning, middle, and

end; should be written in first person; should describe an experience imagined or real; should use

proper grammar according to the reading level of the student; and provides original content.

References

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/english/2010/stds_english3.pdf

http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/hh/writeideas/articles/0,28372,606653,00.html